A storybook start to June with Abilene's CALF

Zoe and Wyatt Neves (left) stand beside the newly-unveiled sculpture of Marcel the moose, which was based on an illustration by author Oliver Jeffers (right), who is accompanied by his son Harland. Thursday kicked-off the Children's Art & Literacy Festival, which this year honors Jeffers' work.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News)Buy Photo

The seventh Children's Art & Literacy Festival rolled into action, literally. The new train, shiny and brightly colored, finally pulled into town — actually, it came in a truck — and groups of children were seen downtown, taking in sights.

Later in the day, more kids arrived to take part in the annual costume contest, this year related to author-illustrator-artist Oliver Jeffers. Jeffers and his family came into town, too. The special guest, who was born in Northern Ireland and lives in Brooklyn, took part in the storybook parade that led him and others to the Abilene Convention Center.

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Elliott Rose Delaney, 6 and visiting from Chattanooga, Tennessee, won first place in the age 5-8 category in the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest as the tree from "Stuck." The Children's Art & Literacy Festival kicked off Thursday with a costume contest, parade, and a sculpture unveiling.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News)

There, the seventh sculpture at the 1-year-old Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden was shown for the first time to the public. It's Marcel, the moose from Jeffers' picture book "This Moose Belongs to Me."

Korn Pop the Clown, dressed as a crayon made from balloons, high-fives a young fan during the Children's Art & Literacy Festival parade Thursday. The festival continues through Saturday and honors author Oliver Jeffers.(Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News)

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Author Oliver Jeffers waves to the crowd during the Storybook Parade in Thursday's Children's Art & Literacy Festival June 7, 2018. Jeffers is the featured author this year, the festival runs through Saturday. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Elliott Rose Delaney, 6 and visiting from Chattanooga, Tennessee, won first place in the age 5-8 category in the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest as the tree from "Stuck" . The Children's Art & Literacy Festival kicked off Thursday with the costume contest, parade, and a sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Katie Long of Lubbock balances her daughter Bess on her knee as she reaches for the tumbleweed that will be part of Bess' costume Thursday June 7, 20187. Katie was dressed as Marcel the Moose, mother and daughter were participating in the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest in the Children's Art & Literacy Festival. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Beth Shirley, 8, of Abilene waits for her turn in the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest as the star from the Jeffers' book, "How to Catch a Star." The Children's Art & Literacy Festival kicked off Thursday with the costume contest, parade, and a sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Children wait their turn to walk across the stage during the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest Thursday June 7, 2018. The Children's Art & Literacy Festival honoring author Oliver Jeffers kicked off with the contest, a parade and a sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Mina Wright, 14, used a two-liter bottle to prop her hair for her purple crayon costume she entered in the Oliver Jeffers Character Costume Contest. Mina's costume was inspired by Jeffers' book, "The Day the Crayons Quit." The Children's Art & Literacy Festival kicked off Thursday with the costume contest, parade, and a sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Children in costumes and carrying a banner lead the Storybook Parade during Thursday's Children's Art & Literacy Festival June 7, 2018. The CALF kicked off Thursday with a costume contest, the parade, and a sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Author Oliver Jeffers waves to the crowd during the Children's Art & Literacy Festival parade Thursday June 7, 2018. The festival, this year a celebration of Jeffers' work, continues through Saturday. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Korn Pop the Clown, dressed as a crayon made from balloons, high-fives a young fan during the Children's Art & Literacy Festival parade Thursday June 7, 2018. The festival continues through Saturday and honors author Oliver Jeffers. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

The wind was blowing so hard down N. 4th Street during the Storybook Parade that Kornpop the Clown's balloon crayon bent over to expose the man himself Thursday June 7, 2018. Kornpop was David McCullough until he legally changed his name in recent years, his balloon and magic show has been a regular feature at the Children's Art & Literacy Festival. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Zoe and Wyatt Neves assist author Oliver Jeffers with removing the cover to the latest addition to the Storybook Garden, Marcel the Moose Thursday June 7, 2018. The Children's Art & Literacy Festival honoring Jeffers kicked off with a costume contest, a parade and the sculpture unveiling. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Zoe and Wyatt Neves stand beside the newly-unveiled sculpture of Marcel the Moose, which was based on an illustration by author Oliver Jeffers (right), who is accompanied by his son Harland. Thursday June 7, 2018 kicked-off the Children's Art & Literacy Festival, which this year honors Jeffers' work. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Author Oliver Jeffers signs books at the Paramount Theatre Thursday evening June 7, 2018. Jeffers' work is being honored in this year's Children's Art & Literacy Festival which concludes Saturday. Jeffers will sign more books Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

A young audience member tries not to laugh as a wolf marionette dances around her during Geppetto's Marionette Theater at the Children's Art & Literacy Festival Friday June 8, 2018. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News

Ellie Tamalis, 2, reaches for a book at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature Friday June 8, 2018. The museum sells book in its store, and was featuring the work of Oliver Jeffers, the author being celebrated during the weekend's Children's Art & Literacy Festival. Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News